Slippery trunk mat - W123/124 - How to fix?
 

I am posting this here in the Diesel Discussion because I have a hard time getting answers out of Detailing and Interior -- I think fewer people check that forum.

What have any of you done to fix the problem of things sliding around in the trunks of your 123s and early 124s? Both my '85 300D-T and my '87 300D Turbo have trunk mats that are not attached, they simply lay on the floor of the trunk. The painted surfaces and hardboard or plastic spare tire covers are slippery; whenever I lay anything heavy on the mat, it tends to slide around, mat and all. W210 cars have a different design in which the spare wheel well cover and trunk mat are combined into one stiff piece that stays in place pretty well. I don't know if late 124s have anything better than what I already have.

I've considered rubber mats (often used in homes to keep rugs from sliding), Velcro®, snaps, and screws, but wanted to ask the forum before I reinvent the wheel. I would prefer not to have to tie things down and besides, there's nothing to tie to unless I drill a bunch of holes and install hooks. A search for "trunk mat" brought up only folks wanting to buy or sell trunk mats. Maybe spray the bottom of the mat with something sticky?

Jeremy

I've got the same problem in my 300D. I keep a medium sized tool box in the trunk. No matter what I find my tool box in various corners of my trunk rapped up in the mat after driving. The mat is worthless if you put stuff in your trunk.
I was thinking of posting a similar thread but for the same reasons thought it wouldn't get much traffic in the other section.

I actually haven't had a problem with the mat itself sliding, but I've had some issues with my subwoofer journeying across the felt in my 300D's trunk. I'm probably going to hit that with some velcro, because the outside of the sub box is also felty.

My advice to keep the mat grounded on the plastic floor would be those rubbery-meshy mats you can buy in a kitchen store. I don't know exactly what they're called. But you can usually buy a roll of it and cut it to size, to fit in drawers and cabinets, between plates, etc. One place it is often used is RVs ... put it under all the stuff in your cabinets so it won't fly off the shelves when you go around a turn. It would work great under the trunk mat.

Guess it'll be a trip to the kitchen section of a dept store. Good idea.

You can get a roll of that stuff at Lowes. About $10 will get you a big roll of it

The PO stuck another mat on top of the mat that's already in there. I can't think of any other reason to stack one mat on top of another other than to put gentle pressure on the mat to keep it still. Thus, I haven't had any issues of the mat sliding around.

Pull the mat out and line-x the trunk problem solved for good. I have line-x in the back of my truck and things stay put. It get a bit hard in winter and I've heard that Rhino liner is more rubbery but is more prone to damage. I've had it for 8 years and It's only have to be repaired 1 time. that was after a 4K pallet of rock was slid across the bed. Worth the $$$$$.

the w123 chassis had rubber mats that went under the carpet from the factory. if you want i can get you the part number so you can pick one up from the dealership

Good, thank you, so now tell us what "line-x" is.

EPC does not show such a thing so yes, please, try to get the part number.